The Spotlight on IB at CTS

The mission of W.H. Council Traditional School is to be the school of choice that generates students who excel academically and are responsible, courteous citizens. This will be accomplished by providing a challenging curriculum in an atmosphere of high expectations. With the fulfillment of this mission, W.H. Council Traditional School will generate a community of global learners.

Council homeroom teachers selected one student from their classroom who displayed all the IB Learner Profile attributes throughout the second quarter. IB learners strive to be open-minded, knowledgeable, caring, balanced, reflective, thinkers, communicators, principled, inquirers and risk takers. These students were exemplary role models for their peers. Recipients of this recognition were rewarded IB World Pins, which can be worn on the collar near the top button of their uniform for the rest of the 2024--2025 school year.

Congratulations to the following IB Students of the Quarter:

Kindergarten: Elijah Kamanzie, Penelope Johnson, Kamille Edwards, Paisley Rabb, Zariah Haygood

First Grade: Chloe Ajiatas, Allison Rocker, Cassius Shade, Brooklyn Morton, Kathryn "Ryn" Bedwell

Second Grade: Camille Hicks, Sadie Daniels, Shepherd Lawrence, Jaxyn Gable, Addie Kate Coffman

Third Grade: Joan Liesch, Caleb Yoder, Noah Harris, Trinity Scott

Fourth Grade: Simone Jones, Baileigh Moseley-Stokes, Quinn Williams, Dylan Gable

Fifth Grade: William Henderson, Arnav Joshi, Aiden Bradley, Shafin Latif

Central Idea: Our surroundings provide us with fruits and vegetables.

Lines of Inquiry:

• An inquiry into different shapes and colors of fruits and vegetables.
• An inquiry into unique taste of fruits and vegetables.
• An inquiry into how fruits and vegetables change as they grow.
• An inquiry into how we get fruits and vegetables

Key Concepts:

• Form
• Perspective
• Change
• Connection

Pre-K students learned about how fruits and vegetables come in many different shapes and sizes. They explored the unique taste of fruits and vegetables. Students learned how to sort and categorize fruits and vegetables. They observed how fruits and vegetables change as they grow. Students enjoyed investigating how fruits and vegetables begin at a farm and end at home.

Central Idea: The five senses can be used to construct knowledge and relate to the environment.

Lines of Inquiry:

• An inquiry into how to use the five senses.
• An inquiry into the function of the five senses.
• An inquiry into sensory loss
• An inquiry into how the five senses can be used to observe and predict weather patterns.

Key Concepts:

• Causation
• Function
• Connection

Kindergarten students learned how their five senses are used daily. They explored how they could adapt when they had a loss of sight and hearing. Students investigated how they use their five senses to observe and predict weather patterns. Kindergarten participated in hands on activities in STEM lab and interviewed a meteorologist.

Central Idea: People can make a difference in their community.

Lines of Inquiry:

• An inquiry into acts of caring within a community.
• An inquiry into ways to be caring for ourselves and others.
• An inquiry into volunteer work that can be helpful to our school and community.
• An inquiry into how laws and procedures help keep schools and communities safe.

Key Concepts:

• Responsibility
• Perspective
• Connection

First grade learned about how communities where similar and different. They examined how laws and procedures help communities stay safe and healthy. They explored different organizations and occupations that helped their community. They brainstormed acts of caring that have a positive impact on others, and took action through service projects of their choice. Students learned how acts of kindness and service help a community thrive.

Central Idea: Exploration leads to discovery.

Lines of Inquiry:

• An inquiry into why exploring is important.
• An inquiry into the ways we can explore.
• An inquiry into the effects of exploration locally and globally.

Key Concepts:

• Form
• Function
• Perspective

Second grade students investigated how exploration can lead to discovery and new learning. Students connected exploration to advancements in science and inventions. Students explored a country of their choice to share their knowledge gained about it's geography and culture. They learned how exploration can impact their community.

Central Idea: Globalized communication and cooperation is fundamental to survival of humankind during natural phenomenon.

Lines of Inquiry:

• An inquiry into global interaction of systems as a necessity to reduce the impact of natural hazards.
• An inquiry into how determining, being aware, and taking action can lessen the impact of natural hazards.
• An inquiry into effects of natural phenomenon and hazards.
• An inquiry into simple machines.

Key Concepts:

• Function
• Causation
• Connection

Third graders learned about the necessity of collaboration between local and global communities to reduce the impact of natural disasters. Students explored the causes of tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, flooding, mudslides, blizzards, and tsunamis. Students investigated how to prepare and take action to lessen the impact of natural disasters. They made the connection between location/place and the occurrence of specific natural hazards.

Central Idea: The formation of landforms, creations and ever-changing features on Earth are distinctive.

Lines of Inquiry:

• An inquiry into the physical characteristics of where we live.
• An inquiry into the constructive and deconstructive forces that change landforms.
• An inquiry into the importance of waterways in civilizations.

Key Concepts:

• Change
• Form
• Connection

Fourth-grade students studied the formation of landforms and its impact on communities, as well as how waterways affect communities. Students created landforms of their choice using various materials and presented their landforms to their classmates.

Central Idea: Early cultures have influenced many aspects of the modern world.

Lines of Inquiry:

• An inquiry into the development and evolution of early cultures.
• An inquiry into literary and fine arts contributions of early cultures.
• An inquiry into early cultures' linguistic influence.
• An inquiry into ancient mythology connection to the constellations.

Key Concepts:

• Change
• Causation
• Connection
• Perspective

Fifth-grade students explored the cultures of the ancient Greek and Roman Empires. They

investigated how modern languages have been influenced by these ancient civilizations.

The students inquired and researched how the traditions and practices of these ancient

cultures impact today's holiday celebrations, government, law, entertainment, athletic sports,

literature, art, technology, and science, particularly in the field of astronomy.

During the second quarter, Council students participated in two community outreach service projects. Students from various grade levels donated much-needed food items and supplies to A Servant's Love, a non-profit organization that assists the elderly in obtaining essentials. Additionally, students took part in the MCPSS Stuff the Bus toy donation drive, contributing new, unwrapped toys for families in need during the Christmas season. These school-wide community service projects allow students to demonstrate agency and take action to address issues in their community, helping them learn how they can support others in need.